- Roll test steering in a
driveway or basement. If it doesn't roll straight at home, it won't
roll straight on a runway. Set control to the least sensitive
position.
- Put Monokote (or otherwise)
small marks at the C.G. (Center of gravity) on the wing to indicate
balance location. Makes it easy to check at field.
- Balancing laterally (side to
side) will help aircraft track better in maneuvers. Hold at spinner
and tail. Add wing tip weight as necessary.
- Check receiver battery every
2-3 flights. Make a chart of how long you have flown vs. Voltage
drop. Do not operate below 4.9 volts.
- Always turn on transmitter 1st,
receiver 2nd. Always turn off receiver 1st, transmitter 2nd.
- Range check your system before
1st flight every time out. This should be performed with engine
running at both idle and full throttle.
- When using the buddy box
system, make sure both boxes are set identical. Never turn buddy box
power "on"!
- Remove transmitter neck straps
when staring engines.
- If you don't have a starter, at
lease use a "chicken stick". Do not hit it against the
propeller; start your flip with the stick next to it. (Touching)
- Never jamb a running starter
onto the spinner. Back up the propeller, and place the starter cone
against spinner before turning on.
- When you start your engine,
look at your watch and keep track of time. After flight, check fuel
level to judge maximum available flight time.
- Do not reach over propeller to
adjust needle valve do it from the rear of the propeller. Do
not position yourself (or others) to the side of a rotating blade.
It could fail on run-up or kick up debris.
- Taxi while holding "up
elevator".
- Fly with a copilot/spotter.
- Never practice maneuvers at low
altitude. Fly 2-3 mistakes above the ground.
- When trimming an aircraft in
flight, trim only until it stops the incorrect movement. Trying to
correct entirely will only put it out of trim to the opposite
direction.
- Most trainer aircraft will
recover from unusual attitudes (mistakes) by killing the power and
pulling up elevator (depending on altitude). Be ready to level out
and apply power.
- Remember, unless you are
"dead stick", you do not have to land. If it's not right,
go around. It's much easier, and safer, to do it over rather than
try to salvage a bad approach.
- If you get nervous for any
reason, climb out and do some horizontal figure eights over the
field. When you calm down, try again. Don't' push yourself to try
again too soon. Take your time.
- Do not fly too far away as it
is easy to get disorientated. This is especially true when the sun
is low on the horizon and the aircraft becomes a silhouette.
- If you are using dual rates,
return to high rate before entering the landing pattern. Do a couple
of turns to adapt to the greater sensitivity again.
- On flat bottom wing trainer
planes: Low speed handling (banking characteristics can be improved
by raising each aileron an 1/8" or so. It makes the
"up" aileron more effective.
- Installing larger (3"+)
wheels on your trainer will:
1) Make taxiing in
grass easier.
2) Improve your visual orientation in the
air.
3) Improve your landings as gear won't bend
as easily.
- Maintain your flight path. Do
not make any erratic maneuvers to avoid faster, more maneuverable
overtaking aircraft (experienced pilots etc.). It is their
responsibility to avoid you. However, make a conscientious effort to
not be a hazard either.
- If it is obvious that you are
going to crash, kill the power to minimize damage.
- If for any reason an aircraft
is in trouble and headed for the pit area or spectators: Do your
best to kill the power and ditch it. Don't try to save it. Planes
are cheaper than people. It's a small sacrifice to make.
- If your aircraft does go down
in the field or trees-Don't move! Note where you are standing, and
pick a far distance reference point or object. Follow a straight
line in your search and rescue effort.
- If you are searching in the
trees, listen to aircraft overhead to orient yourself to the flight
line and runway. It's a jungle out there.
- When you do recover a crashed
aircraft, be sure to pick up every last part, piece and splinter.
You'll be glad you did when you decide to rebuild it after the shock
wears off. All those little pieces can be glued together to make
templates to create replacement parts.
- After each flight, immediately
reset the elevator trim to the "full fuel tank" position.
Otherwise you probably won't remember until you are about 10 feet
off the ground on the next take-off. (And headed back down to mother
earth!)
Even long
after you've soloed, don't be afraid to ask for additional help or
instruction. That's what we're here for.
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